MUMBAI: Residents of Mumbai will now only have fond memories of the iconic aircraft structure at Lions Garden in Santa Cruz (W).

The caretakers of the recreation ground (RG) plot have demolished the structure. However, the move has not gone down well with some activists who feel that they should have been consulted, before the caretakers were given permission to demolish the landmark structure. "The structure was almost 50 years old and it was in a dilapidated condition," said Krishna Bhatt, vice president of the Kamla Raheja Foundation, that maintains the park.

He added, "Even after opting for repair, there was no guarantee about the sturdiness of the structure. The new model that we plan to replace, will be made of either concrete or metal."

Civic activist Aftab Siddiqui said, "I'm surprised that the BMC allowed the demolition, without any public debate. Residents want to know whether they had conducted any structural audit of the structure, before granting permission to the caretaker to demolish this famous aeroplane."

It is believed that some time In the 1960s, Air India had donated the concrete replica of a Boeing 707-437 to the park.

The fragility of the structure came to light when Abhishek Jamjade ( 8 ) died after a part of the structure engine collapsed on him in March 2009. "We wanted to demolish the structure following the fatal accident last year. We are going to replace it with a new model," said Chandrashekar Rokade, deputy municipal commissioner (gardens). Local ward officials were not available for comment._________________10000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

Sad day indeed..like some others, I also spent many occasions just clambering up into the (concrete) fuselage chasing other kids and come out of the rear through the cramped interior..
A better idea would be to place an actual plane (even an Avro would do for now)..

Is it the same plane that appears in the song "Chanda hai tu" from the movie "Aradhana"?

Wow - you have an amazing eye for detail!
On a different note, one also notes (pun unintended!) that the last name of the DMC(Gardens) is based on the Bambaiya slang for money. (I'm sure people would go to no end to harass the person in question because of his name alone!)
Cheers, Sumantra.

It's an iconic structure, but like a lot of other structures in India that are supposedly "maintained" by the government, it had gone to hell in a handbasket. I remember insisting that my parents stop the car and let me play in there as a kid.

More than two years after the iconic aeroplane structure at Lions Garden in Santacruz (W) was demolished in December 2010, a brandnew ‘Boeing’ is all set to make a landing at the venue.

The garden, better known as ‘aeroplane park’ after Air India donated a concrete replica of a Boeing 707-437 to the park minders in the 1960s, became a huge attraction, with kids flocking there from all over the city. Such was the popularity of the aeroplane at the park that on weekends, people had to queue up to enter it.

However, tragedy struck in March 2009, when an eight-year-old boy, Praveen Jamdale, died after a part of the aeroplane structure collapsed on him. A few months later, the Kamala Raheja Foundation, which maintains the garden on behalf of BMC, pulled down the structure amidst protests from several residents and activists, who said they should have been consulted. At that time, BMC had promised a new aeroplane for the park.

Now, the new ‘Boeing’, worth around Rs 30 lakh, is set to arrive in six months. A high-ranking the BMC official said, “The designs have been approved, and the structure is being readied. The plane will be made of cement concrete, and will be a better version of the earlier structure.”

The official added that plenty of “improvisations” have been made to ensure the new plane is able to attract children. The new plane, which will occupy a 16sq ft x 16 sq ft area, is designed by structural consultant Satish Dhupelia, and the project plan has been checked by the experts at Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI).

BMC’s Standing Committee chairman Rahul Shewale said, “It was an iconic structure and we will ensure a similar structure is back in place, with all safety measures in place.”

Residents welcomed the development, saying better late than never. Aditya Paul from Vile Parle, who recalled spending many an evening at the aeroplane park, said: “I am happy that efforts are being made to restore the park’s glory. Now, BMC should ensure the structure remains in good condition to avoid any mishap.”

The iconic santacruz plane

Lions Garden in Santacruz (W) has always been ‘aeroplane park’ for Mumbaikars because of the iconic aircraft structure installed there. It is believed that Air India, in the 1960s, had donated the concrete replica of a Boeing 707-437 to the park authorities, and the ‘park plane’ attracted kids from all over the area.

However, in March 2009, an eight-year-old boy, identified as Praveen Jamdale, died after a part of the structure collapsed on him, forcing the park authorities to pull down the structure.

The decision to demolish the structure created a controversy, after several residents and activists said that they should have been consulted, even as the civic body said the structure will be replaced with a new aeroplane model._________________10000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

AI could outdo themselves by donating a real Boeing to the park. There is a UA DC-8 in a park in LA (I believe it is now called the California Science Center). It would be good to see something like that in Bombay.
One can dream ......_________________10000 posts (and counting) on Airliners-India.

This is bullshit ! 40 years ago they built an amazingly authentic & realistic model of the Boeing 707, right down to the correct engines and in accurate Air India livery of the period. This ridiculous contraption is an insult to our generation who've seen the real deal. And what the fuck is up with the old Southwest Airlines-esque colors ?!! I can't believe I paid one rupee to get into the park & photograph it. I need to sue someone to get it back !!!

The design must be based on the rendition of an airplane done by the three year old child of a BMC commissioner, and the execution by a mawali builder who coughed up the highest bribe.

Neither category of people knows anything about airplanes. What else can be expected?

I guess we must be happy that there is something remotely resembling an airplane that they have put up, and not another statue of Shivaji on a horse._________________I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl

Back in the day, there used to be an elephant with a howdah, right next to the Air India 707, which was a replica of the Air India elephant "model", popular back in the 70s. Perhaps a statue of the local warlord will take it's place.